Oshawa Fast-Food Restaurant Targeted in Alleged Knifepoint Robbery
Durham Regional Police have charged a 22-year-old Oshawa man following what they describe as an armed robbery at a fast-food establishment earlier this week. According to authorities, the incident occurred at a Church's Chicken location on King Street East in Oshawa late Monday evening.
Police Response and Arrest Details
Officers responded to what was reported as an armed person call at approximately 10:50 p.m. on January 26, 2026. The restaurant is situated just west of Ritson Road in the Durham Region municipality. Police arrived promptly at the scene and took the suspect into custody without incident.
Constable Nicholas Gluckstein confirmed in an official statement that no physical injuries were reported during the arrest or the alleged robbery itself. The swift police action prevented any harm to employees or customers present at the time of the incident.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
The accused, identified as Charlie Cameron Cook of Oshawa, now faces multiple criminal charges including:
- Robbery
- Mischief under $5,000
- Possession of weapons dangerous
- Possession of a prohibited/restricted weapon
- Wearing a disguise with intent
Cook has been held for a bail hearing as the legal process moves forward. Police are continuing their investigation and have appealed to the public for any additional information that might assist their case.
Separate Incident: Alleged Bribery Attempt Following Puslinch Crash
In an unrelated matter, Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 65-year-old Puslinch man with attempting to bribe an officer following a single-vehicle collision. The crash occurred on Brock Road in Puslinch Township, approximately 25 kilometers west of Milton, on Tuesday evening.
OPP officers responding to the ditch collision around 6:45 p.m. suspected the driver of impairment. According to police statements, the driver refused to comply with a breath sample demand and subsequently attempted to bribe the investigating officer.
Legal Consequences in Bribery Case
Frederick Blow of Puslinch now faces Criminal Code charges of bribery of officers and failure or refusal to comply with a demand. In addition to criminal charges, authorities initiated a 90-day administrative driver's license suspension and impounded the vehicle for seven days as per statutory requirements.
The accused is scheduled to appear in Guelph court on April 21 to answer to the charges. Police have not released specific details about the nature of the alleged bribery attempt, citing the ongoing investigation.
Community Impact and Police Appeals
Both incidents highlight ongoing law enforcement challenges in different regions of Ontario. Durham Regional Police are specifically requesting that anyone with information about the Oshawa robbery come forward. They are particularly interested in:
- Cellphone footage from the area
- Dashcam recordings
- Surveillance video from nearby businesses
- Any witness accounts of the incident
Information can be provided to Durham Regional Police directly or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. These cases continue to develop as investigations proceed through proper legal channels.
